Ferrari is holding a series of driving courses that focuses on classic cars called the Ferrari Classiche Academy.
Each course is held over two days at the Fiorano Circuit, where the drivers will get to learn the techniques used to drive cars produced before electronics had entered the automotive world.
Ferrari Classiche Academy is divided into different track driving modules. These modules give everyone, including people new to historic cars, the chance to familiarise themselves with the vehicle dynamics, the gearbox, corner management and many other aspects of driving these cars.
The programme begins with a practical introduction to the cars covered by the course (four 308 GTS and GTBi models, all with various mechanical developments from the base models, and a Mondial 3.2). The cars are analysed on the lift to give an idea of the components used and their technical characteristics.
Afterwards, on a guided tour of the Officine Classiche Ferrari and the company’s technical archive, participants can view technical drawings, engineers’ notebooks and race reports for GT and racing cars produced from 1947 onwards.
The subsequent track sessions consist of a series of technical briefings by the instructors on driving techniques for cars with manual gearbox without electronic assistance, including ‘heel and toe’, ‘double clutching’ and others.
Once behind the wheel of a historic car, the participants (always accompanied by their instructors) perform a series of driving sessions of increasing difficulty.
These take place in a wide range of conditions, including driving in the wet, counter-steering at speed and managing vehicle dynamics. The module on driving techniques for regularity racing is also of great interest. These competitions are popular with many fans of classic cars.
The second round of Ferrari Classiche Academy courses will start next spring
